Church Comity by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 5, 1910

Church Comity

By Editor

CHURCH comity, the arrangement whereby mission territory is parceled out among various church organizations, and each is prohibited from entering the territory of any of the others, is called in question by the Herald and Presbyter.

Referring to a recommendation of a joint committee that “the denomination first in the field should have exclusive right to that field,” it says:—

The principle at the root of such a recommendation is an exceedingly dangerous one. The United Presbyterians would suffer from it, as our church has suffered. Denominational comity which forbids our church to enter fields where Congregationalists have churches implies an agreement, at least as to essential doctrine. In some cases there is such agreement, and in others there is not.

And the Western Recorder (Baptist), quoting the above remarks of the Presbyterian journal, makes the following pertinent comment:—

The above shows a healthy reaction against the sentimental finesse of the past few years. It required no prophet to foretell that this would be the inevitable conclusion of this crafty coquetry. The Presbyterians are, as a rule, an exceedingly sensible people; and though they sometimes stray, like chickens they generally come home “to roost.” In a little while, some of the leaders of this politico-religious conglomeration scheme will laugh at themselves, for their share in the pantomime performance. In the meantime, with Christ and conscience, we will content ourselves, even though we be charged with a lack of Christian comity.

To all of which we say, Amen. No consistent Baptist or Presbyterian or Seventh-day Adventist can consistently subscribe to any limitations which would circumscribe the free course of gospel truth as he sees and believes it. Denominations, the same as individual Christians, should exercise toward one another due Christian courtesy. This will do more for the promotion of the gospel and the cause of missions than any set of regulations the tendency of which would be to abridge Christian liberty of belief and practise.